worn brake pads

[Clairem20]

I recently put my fiesta in for an MOT and it failed on a few minor items.  However, they also issued an advisory notice stating that the front brake pad is wearing thin.  How soon does work need to be done to correct this and how much is it likely to cost?!! Also I haven't noticed any problems or noises when breaking, and don't drive my car much so really don't want a huge garage bill!

[jake-the-peg]

Parts should be about �10-15 I'd think  and it should be about 20 minutes work at any ATS or similar - ring around for a quote.

If you don't drive much then you've probably got quite a bit of life left in the pads but if you start to hear a nasty grating metal noise then you've left it too long and are likely going to need new disks too. 

[honkytonkman]

Just for info. There will be 2 brake pads per front wheel. I'd get them changed soonish... As jake-the-peg says if the linings wear down to the metal then your brake discs will suffer too with the metal to metal contact and then you'll have to replace pads AND discs.